These Nine Garmin Watches Are on Sale Ahead of Prime Day
Prime Day may be a few weeks away, but the best deals don’t always wait for Amazon’s biggest sale. Right now, several popular Garmin watches are offering big discounts, mostly on previous-generation Garmin models. Whether you’re a casual runner, a serious athlete, or an outdoor adventurer, there’s likely a discounted Garmin that fits your needs and budget. Using price checkers , I’ve rounded up my favorite Garmin watches you can buy on sale right now.
Predecessor of 265 and 965
The Forerunner 265 is hands down the best fitness watch for runners , according to senior health editor Beth Squareski’s review. Right now, you can get it in a 42mm case for $100 off, down to $349.99. You can also buy the refurbished version from Amazon (aka remanufactured and refurbished) for $309 .
The Forerunner 965 is 10% off, down from $599.99 to $540.
More importantly, these models are more than $200 more affordable than the recently released 570 and 970 models that replaced them. If you ask me, this is a great time to buy older models. You get almost the same functionality at a significant discount, simply because newer model numbers exist.
Vienna 3S
Garmin’s most competitive answer to traditional smartwatches, the Venu 3S , is $100 off its starting price, down to $349.99. The Venu 3/3S has all the features typically associated with the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy watches, like voice calling in addition to health metrics.
The Venu 3/3S smartwatch hasn’t been replaced by newer models yet, but this ongoing discount suggests that the Venu 4 could be coming soon.
Forerunner 55
The Forerunner 55 is holding steady at $169, down from its original $199. While it’s not a dramatic discount, the Forerunner 55 is a solid entry point into Garmin’s running watch ecosystem. Like all Forerunners, it has physical buttons so you can stop and start laps without fiddling with the touchscreen, and running-specific features like race predictions and PacePro screens that can guide you to a specific finish time in a race. This watch would be an instant recommendation if it ever dropped to $99, but at its current price, it’s still affordable for runners on a budget.
Vivoactive 5
For those looking for the best overall value for money, I’d say the $199.99 Vivoactive 5 (down from $299.99) stands out as the most compelling deal in Garmin’s current lineup. This 2023 release offers very similar features to the recently released Vivoactive 6 , but costs significantly less. It’s not called Garmin’s most underrated watch for nothing. It’s one of the most affordable options that still has a range of fitness tracking capabilities, but in a sleeker, more casual design than the sportier models.
Venus Square 2
The Venu Sq 2 , while older (it was released in 2022), is still a popular choice for people looking to replace one of those boxy Fitbit smartwatches. At $194, it’s an affordable option, but honestly, you might as well take advantage of the discount on the Vivoactive 5, which is the same price and has a lot more features.
Instinct 2 and Instinct 2 Sunny
For more rugged options, the Instinct line is your best bet. The Instinct 2 is down 33% to $199.99, and the Instinct 2 Solar is down nearly 40% to $248.93. The non-solar model is priced slightly (about $20) lower than it has been selling for in the recent past.
Like most of the watches on this list, these are older models, released now that the Instinct 3 has come out. However, the Instinct 2 and 2 Solar are perfectly capable hiking and tactical watches if you’re looking for something for the outdoors but don’t need the newest, most expensive watch on the market.
Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar
For the top-end variants, the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar is currently marked down from $899 to $647.99. For serious outdoor athletes who don’t need the latest features, that $250 discount makes the Fenix 7 Pro a worthwhile option over the more expensive current models. The Fenix 7 series has long battery life, solar charging (on models with Solar in the name), and a durable body with scratch-resistant glass. Plus, this older model still has a nifty flashlight feature.
Summary
Prime Day deals on popular Garmin models are often modest improvements on existing discounts, and sought-after models often sell out quickly during major sales. Buying now eliminates the rush and ensures you get the model you want without the stress of competing with other shoppers.